On August 12, one of the most fascinating dates of the summer is set to take place: in the late afternoon the Sun will be the protagonist of a solar eclipse that, in the luckiest parts of the planet, will appear in total form. A rare event, which will cross Europe, northwestern Africa, and North America, while in Italy it will only be observable in partial mode. The day will be made even more evocative by the presence of the Perseids, the famous “shooting stars” that reach their peak precisely these days.
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The phases of the eclipse: what happens in the sky
A total solar eclipse develops through five distinct moments, although not all will be visible from our country.
- First contact – It is the moment when the Moon begins to overlap the solar disk, creating the typical “bite.” This phase lasts about half an hour.
- The diamond ring – In areas where the eclipse will be total, the last edge of the Sun produces an irregular glow around the Moon, an effect due to the lunar surface’s shape.
- Totality – The most awaited moment: the Sun is completely obscured and the sky becomes dark as in a sudden night. The maximum duration will be about 2 minutes and 18 seconds.
- Pearls of light – When the Moon begins to move, small bright points reappear at the edges of the disk.
- End of the eclipse – The Moon moves away and the Sun progressively becomes visible again.
Where it will be total and where not
The path of totality will cross a limited portion of the planet: from the Arctic Russia to Greenland, passing through western Iceland, a small stretch of Portugal, and a large area of Spain. It is a strip about 293 kilometers wide, the only zone where the Moon will completely cover the Sun.
The eclipse seen from Italy: coverage up to 95% in some regions
In our country, the phenomenon will be partial, but with significant differences from region to region. The Sun will already be low on the horizon, and this will affect visibility:
- Northwest – It is the best area: coverage can exceed 90%, with a peak around 20:21. In Liguria, it will reach almost 95%, according to the Italian Amateur Astronomers Union.
- Central Italy – Maximum obscuration around 70%, with a peak around 20:11.
- Southern Italy – The most evident phase will be around 19:56, but in many areas the Sun will set before maximum obscuration.
Only the northern regions will be able to follow the eclipse until the end, while in the rest of Italy it will be possible to observe only the initial part.
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The eclipse causes online searches to soar: filters, telephoto lenses, and “where to see it”
The anticipation for the phenomenon has generated strong interest on the web.
According to Google Trends:
- searches related to eclipse photography have increased by 180%;
- demand for solar filters for cameras has grown by 490%;
- telephoto lenses record a +250% compared to last year.
Among the most active cities online are Viareggio, Lucca, and Genoa, while searches on “where to see the eclipse” involve mountain locations in Piedmont, centers in Lombardy, the Sardinian coast, and the Ligurian Riviera. Also appearing is Santo Domingo de la Calzada, in Spain, one of the ideal destinations to observe totality.
️Safety: how to protect your eyes
Experts remind that the eclipse, while fascinating, can be dangerous if observed without proper protection.
The instruments to use must comply with the ISO 12312‑2 standard. Common sunglasses are not sufficient.
An appointment not to be missed
Even if it will not be total in Italy, the August 12 eclipse remains one of the most evocative astronomical events of the year. Those in the northern regions will be able to witness an almost complete obscuration, while elsewhere it will still be possible to experience a unique moment, with the sky darkening just as the Sun approaches sunset.
